36

Torque and Rotational Equilibrium

Unit Conversions
5-1. Draw and label the moment arm of the force F about an axis at point A in Fig. 5-11a. What
is the magnitude of the moment arm?
Moment arms are drawn perpendicular to action line:
r
A
= (2 ft) sin 25
0
r
A
= 0.845 ft
5-2. Find the moment arm about axis B in Fig. 11a. (See figure above.)
r
B
= (3 ft) sin 25
0
r
B
= 1.27 ft
5-3. Determine the moment arm if the axis of rotation is at point A in Fig. 5-11b. What is the
magnitude of the moment arm?
r
B
= (2 m) sin 60
0
r
B
= 1.73 m
5-4. Find the moment arm about axis B in Fig. 5-11b.
r
B
= (5 m) sin 30
0
r
B
= 2.50 m

Torque
5-5. If the force F in Fig. 5-11a is equal to 80 lb, what is the resultant torque about axis A
neglecting the weight of the rod. What is the resultant torque about axis B?
Counterclockwise torques are positive, so that t
A
is - and t
B
is +.
(a) t
A
= (80 lb)(0.845 ft) = -67.6 lb ft (b) t
B
= (80 lb)(1.27 ft) = +101 lb ft
5-6. The force F in Fig. 5-11b is 400 N and the angle iron is of negligible weight. What is the
resultant torque about axis A and about axis B?
Counterclockwise torques are positive, so that t
A
is + and t
B
is -.
(a) t
A
= (400 N)(1.732 m) = +693 N m; (b) t
B
= (400 N)(2.50 m) = -1000 N m
3 ft
2 ft
r
B
B
A
25
0

F
r
A
25
0

2 m
5 m
r
B
r
A
60
0

B
30
0

A
F

37
5-7. A leather belt is wrapped around a pulley 20 cm in diameter. A force of 60 N is applied to
the belt. What is the torque at the center of the shaft?
r = D = 10 cm; t = (60 N)(0.10 m) = +6.00 N m
5-8. The light rod in Fig. 5-12 is 60 cm long and pivoted about point A. Find the magnitude and
sign of the torque due to the 200 N force if u is (a) 90
0
, (b) 60
0
, (c) 30
0
, and (d) 0
0
.
t = (200 N) (0.60 m) sin u for all angles:
(a) t = 120 N m (b) t = 104 N m
(b) t = 60 N m (d) t = 0
5-9. A person who weighs 650 N rides a bicycle. The pedals move in a circle of radius 40 cm. If
the entire weight acts on each downward moving pedal, what is the maximum torque?
t = (250 N)(0.40 m) t = 260 N m
5-10. A single belt is wrapped around two pulleys. The drive pulley has a diameter of 10 cm,
and the output pulley has a diameter of 20 cm. If the top belt tension is essentially 50 N at
the edge of each pulley, what are the input and output torques?
Input torque = (50 N)(0.10 m) = 5 N m
Output torque = (50 N)(0.20 m) = 10 N m

Resultant Torque
5-11. What is the resultant torque about point A in Fig. 5-13. Neglect weight of bar.
Et = +(30 N)(6 m) - (15 N)(2 m) - (20 N)(3 m)
t = 90.0 N m, Counterclockwise.


F
A
200 N
r
u
60 cm
u
30 N
2 m
15 N
20 N
A
4 m 3 m

38
5-12. Find the resultant torque in Fig. 5-13, if the axis is moved to the left end of the bar.
Et = +(30 N)(0) + (15 N)(4 m) - (20 N)(9 m)
t = -120 N m, counterclockwise.

5-13. What horizontal force must be exerted at point A in Fig 5-11b to make the resultant torque
about point B equal to zero when the force F = 80 N?
t = P (2 m) (80 N)(5 m) (sin 30
0
) = 0
2 P = 200 N; P = 100 N

5-14. Two wheels of diameters 60 cm and 20 cm are fastened together and turn on the same axis
as in Fig. 5-14. What is the resultant torque about a central axis for the shown weights?
r
1
= (60 cm) = 0.30 m ; r
2
= (30 cm) = 0.15 m
t = (200 N)(0.30 m) (150 N)(0.15 m) = 37.5 N m; t = 37.5 N m, ccw
5-15. Suppose you remove the 150-N weight from the small wheel in Fig. 5-14. What new
weight can you hang to produce zero resultant torque?
t = (200 N)(0.30 m) W (0.15 m) = 0; W = 400 N
5-16. Determine the resultant torque about the corner A for Fig. 5-15.
Et = +(160 N)(0.60 m) sin 40
0
- (80 N)(0.20 m)
Et = 61.7 N m 16.0 N m = 45.7 N m
t
R
= 45.7 N m
5-17. Find the resultant torque about point C in Fig. 5-15.
Et = - (80 N)(0.20 m) = -16 N m

30 N
2 m
15 N
20 N
A 4 m 3 m
2 m
5 m
r
B
B
30
0

P
F = 80 N
C
B
A
80 N
40
0

20 cm
60 cm
r

40
0

160 N
C
80 N
40
0

20 cm
60 cm
r

160 N

39
*5-18. Find the resultant torque about axis B in Fig. 5-15.
F
x
= 160 cos 40
0
; F
y
= 160 sin 40
0

Et = (123 N)(0.2 m) + (103 N)(0.6 m) = 37.2 N m

Equilibrium
5-19. A uniform meter stick is balanced at its midpoint with a single support. A 60-N weight is
suspended at the 30 cm mark. At what point must a 40-N weight be hung to balance the
system? (The 60-N weight is 20 cm from the axis)
Et = 0; (60 N)(20 cm) (40 N)x = 0
40 x = 1200 N cm or x = 30 cm: The weight must be hung at the 80-cm mark.
5-20. Weights of 10 N, 20 N, and 30 N are placed on a meterstick at the 20 cm, 40 cm, and 60
cm marks, respectively. The meterstick is balanced by a single support at its midpoint. At
what point may a 5-N weight be attached to produce equilibrium.
Et = (10 N)(30 cm) + (20 N)(10 cm)

(30 N)(10 cm) (5 N) x = 0
5 x = (300 + 200 300) or x = 40 cm
The 5-N weight must be placed at the 90-cm mark
5-21. An 8-m board of negligible weight is supported at a point 2 m from the right end where a
50-N weight is attached. What downward force at the must be exerted at the left end to
produce equilibrium?
Et = 0: F (6 m) (50 N)(2 m) = 0
6 F = 100 N m or F = 16.7 N


F
x

F
y

B
80 N
40
0

20 cm
60 cm
160 N
20 cm
x
40 N
60 N
10 cm
30 cm
10 N 20 N
x
5 N 30 N
50 N
F
6 m 2 m

40
5-22. A 4-m pole is supported at each end by hunters carrying an 800-N deer which is hung at a
point 1.5 m from the left end. What are the upward forces required by each hunter?
Et = A (0) (800 N)(1.5 m) + B (4.0 m) = 0
4B = 1200 N or B = 300 N
EF
y
= A + B 800 lb = 0; A = 500 N
5-23. Assume that the bar in Fig. 5-16 is of negligible weight. Find the forces F and A provided
the system is in equilibrium.
Et = (80 N)(1.20 m) F (0.90 m) = 0; F = 107 N
EF
y
= F A 80 N = 0; A = 107 N 80 N = 26.7 N
F = 107 N, A = 26.7 N
5-24. For equilibrium, what are the forces F
1
and F
2
in Fig. 5-17. (Neglect weight of bar.)
Et = (90 lb)(5 ft) F
2
(4 ft) (20 lb)(5 ft) = 0;
F
2
= 87.5 lb EF
y
= F
1
F
2
20 lb 90 lb = 0
F
1
= F
2
+110 lb = 87.5 lb + 110 lb, F
1
= 198 lb
5-25. Consider the light bar supported as shown in Fig. 5-18. What are the forces exerted by the
supports A and B?
Et
A
= B (11 m) (60 N)(3 m) (40 N)( 9 m) = 0;
B

= 49.1 N EF
y
= A + B 40 N 60 N = 0
A

= 100 N B = 100 N 49.1 N; B = 50.9 N
5-26. A V-belt is wrapped around a pulley 16 in. in diameter. If a resultant torque of 4 lb ft is
required, what force must be applied along the belt?
R = (16 in.) = 8 in. R = (8/12 ft) = 0.667 ft
t = F (0.667 ft) = 4 lb ft; F = 6.00 lb
F
800 N
B
A
2.5 m 1.5 m
Axis
80 N
F
A
90 cm 30 cm
Axis
20 lb
F
2

5 ft
Axis
1 ft
90 lb
F
1

4 ft
B
3 m
Axis
40 N
2 m
60 N
A
6 m

41
5-27. A bridge whose total weight is 4500 N is 20 m long and supported at each end. Find the
forces exerted at each end when a 1600-N tractor is located 8 m from the left end.
Et
A
= B (20 m) (1600 N)(8 m) (4500 N)( 10 m) = 0;
B

= 2890 N EF
y
= A + B 1600 N 4500 N = 0
A

= 6100 N B = 6100 N 2890 N; B = 3210 N
5-28. A 10-ft platform weighing 40 lb is supported at each end by stepladders. A 180-lb painter
is located 4 ft from the right end. Find the forces exerted by the supports.
Et
A
= B(10 ft) (40 lb)(5 ft) (180 lb)( 6 ft) = 0;
B

= 128 lb EF
y
= A + B 40 lb 180 lb = 0
A

= 220 lb B = 220 lb 128 lb; A = 92.0 lb
*5-29. A horizontal, 6-m boom weighing 400 N is hinged at the wall as shown in Fig. 5-19. A
cable is attached at a point 4.5 m away from the wall, and a 1200-N weight is attached to
the right end. What is the tension in the cable?
| = 90
0
37
0
= 53
0
; T
y
= T sin 53
0

Et
A
= (T sin 53
0
)(4.5 m) (400 N)(3 m) (1200 N)(6 m) = 0;
3.59 T = 1200 N + 7200 N; T = 2340 N
*5-30. What are the horizontal and vertical components of the force exerted by the wall on the
boom? What is the magnitude and direction of this force?
EF
x
= H T
x
= 0; H T cos 53
0
= 0; H = (2340 N) cos 53
0
; H = 1408 N
EF
y
= V + T sin 53
0
400 N 1200 N = 0; V = 1600 N (2340 N) sin 53
0
= -269 N
Thus, the components are: H = 1408 N and V = -269 N. The resultant of these is:
R H V = + =
2 2
1434 N; tan =
-269
1408
=10.8 S of E
0
| | R = 1434 N, 349.2
0

B
10 m
Axis
4500 N
2 m
1600 N
A
8 m
B
4 ft
Axis
180 lb
1 ft
40 lb
A
5 ft
1.5 m
H
T
y
T
y
B
1.5 m
Axis
1200 N
400 N
V
3 m

42
Center of Gravity

5-31. A uniform 6-m bar has a length of 6 m and weighs 30 N. A 50-N weight is hung from the
left end and a 20-N force is hung at the right end. How far from the left end will a single
upward force produce equilibrium?
EF
y
= F 50 N 30 N 20 N = 0; F = 100 N
Et = F x (30 N)(3 m) (20 N)(6 m) = 0
(100 N) x = 210 N m; x = 2.10 m
5-32. A 40-N sphere and a 12-N sphere are connected by a light rod 200 mm in length. How far
from the middle of the 40-N sphere is the center of gravity?
EF
y
= F 40 N 12 N = 0; F = 52 N
Et = F x (40 N)(0) (12 N)(0.20 m) = 0
(52 N) x = 2.40 N m; x = 0.0462 m or x = 46.2 mm
5-33. Weights of 2, 5, 8, and 10 N are hung from a 10-m light rod at distances of 2, 4, 6, and 8 m
from the left end. How far from the left in is the center of gravity?
EF
y
= F 10 N 8 N 5 N 2 N = 0; F = 25 N
Fx (2 N)(2 m) (5 N)(4 m) (8 N)(6 m) (10 N)(8 m) = 0
(25 N) x = 152 N m; x = 6.08 m
5-34. Compute the center of gravity of sledgehammer if the metal head weighs 12 lb and the 32-
in. supporting handle weighs 2 lb. Assume that the handle is of uniform construction and
weight.
EF
y
= F 2 lb 12 lb = 0; F = 14 lb
Fx (12 lb)(0) (2 lb)(16 in.) = 0; Fx = 32 lb in.
(14 lb) x = 32 lb in.; x = 2.29 in. from head.
Axis
F
20 N
30 N
50 N
x
3 m 3 m
F
12 N
40 N
200 mm
x
10 N 5 N 8 N 2 N
2 m
2 m 2 m
2 m
2 m
x
F
F
16 in.
16 in.
x
2 lb 12 lb

43
Challenge Problems
5-35. What is the resultant torque about the hinge in Fig. 4-20? Neglect weight of the curved bar.
t = (80 N)(0.6 m) (200 N)(0.4 m) sin 40
0

= 48.0 N m 51.4 N m; t = 3.42 N m

5-36. What horizontal force applied to the left end of the
bar in Fig. 4-20 will produce rotational equilibrium?
From Prob. 5-33: t = - 3.42 N m.
Thus, if Et = 0, then torque of +3.42 N m must be added.
F (0.6 m) cos 40
0
= +3.45 N m; F = 7.45 N
5-37. Weights of 100, 200, and 500 lb are placed on a light board resting on two supports as
shown in Fig. 4-21. What are the forces exerted by the supports?
Et = (100 lb)(4 ft) + B(16 ft)
(200 lb)(6 ft) (500 lb)(12 ft) = 0; B = 425 lb
EF
y
= A + B 100 lb 200 lb 500 lb = 0
A = 800 lb B = 800 lb 425 lb; A = 375 lb
The forces exerted by the supports are : A = 375 N and B = 425 N
5-38. An 8-m steel metal beam weighs 2400 N and is supported 3 m from the right end. If a
9000-N weight is placed on the right end, what force must be exerted at the left end to
balance the system?
Et
A
= A (5 m) + (2400 N)(1 m) (9000 N)( 3 m) = 0;
A

= 4920 N EF
y
= A + B 2400 N 9000 N = 0
B

= 11,400 N A = 11,400 N 4920 N; A = 6480 N
40
0

50
0

F
200 N
60 cm
40 cm
r
40
0

40
0

80 N
200 N
60 cm
40 cm
r
40
0

80 N
Axis
100 lb 200 lb 500 lb
A B
6 ft 6 ft 4 ft 4 ft
A
9000 N
F
4 m 3 m
1 m
2400 N

44
*5-39. Find the resultant torque about point A in Fig. 5-22.
Et = (70 N)(0.05 m) sin 50
0
(50 N)(0.16 m) sin 55
0

Et = 2.68 N m 6.55 N m = 3.87 N m
Et = 3.87 N m

*5-40. Find the resultant torque about point B in Fig. 5-22.
Et = (70 N)(0) (50 N)(a + b) ; First find a and b.
a = (0.05 m) cos 50
0
= 0.0231 m; b = (0.16 m) sin 55
0
= 0.131 m
Et = (50 N)(0.0231 m + 0.131 m) = 8.16 N m
Et = 8.16 N m


Critical Thinking Questions
*5-41. A 30-lb box and a 50-lb box are on opposite ends of a 16-ft board supported only at its
midpoint. How far from the left end should a 40-lb box be placed to produce equilibrium?
Would the result be different if the board weighed 90 lb? Why, or why not?
Et = (30 lb)(8 ft) + (40 lb)(x) (50 lb)(8 ft) = 0;
x

= 4.00 ft Note that the weight acting at the center
of the board does NOT contribute to torque about
the center, and therefore, the balance point is not affected, regardless of the weight.
5-42. On a lab bench you have a small rock, a 4-N meterstick and a single knife-edge support.
Explain how you can use these three items to find the weight of the small rock.
Measure distances a and b; determine F and then
calculate the weight W from equilibrium methods.
0.5 m
F
4 N
W
b a
b
a
70 N
50 N
B
5 cm
16 cm
50
0

55
0

r
r
70 N
50 N
B
5 cm
A
16 cm
50
0

55
0

x
F
W
40 lb
8 ft
8 ft
50 lb 30 lb

45
*5-43. Find the forces F
1
, F
2
, and F
3
such that the system drawn in Fig. 5-23 is in equilibrium.
Note action-reaction forces R and R.
First, lets work with top board:
Et (about R) = 0; Force R is upward.
Et
R
= (300 lb)(6 ft) (50 lb)(2 ft) F
1
(8 ft) = 0
F
1
= 213 lb Now, EF
y
= 0 gives: 213 lb + R 300 lb 50 lb = 0; R = 138 lb = R
Next we sum torques about F
2
with R = 138 lb is directed in a downward direction:
Et
F
= (138 lb)(3 ft) + F
3
(7 ft) (200 lb)(5 ft) = 0; From which: F
3
= 83.9 lb
EF
y
= 0 = F
2
+ 83.9 lb 138 lb 200 lb; F
2
= 254 lb
The three unknown forces are: F
1
= 213 lb, F
2
= 254 lb, F
3
= 83.9 lb

*5-44. (a) What weight W will produce a tension of 400 N in the rope attached to the boom in
Fig. 5-24?. (b) What would be the tension in the rope if W = 400 N? Neglect the weight
of the boom in each case.
(a) Et = (400 N)(4 m) sin 300) W (6 m) cos 30
0
= 0
W = 154 N
(b) Et = T(4 m) sin 30
0
(400 N)(6 m) cos 30
0
= 0
T = 600 N
*5-45. Suppose the boom in Fig. 5-24 has a weight of 100 N and the suspended weight W is
equal to 400 N. What is the tension in the cord?
Et = T(4 m) sin 300) (400 N)(6 m) cos 30
0

(100 N)(3 m) cos 30
0
= 0
T = 1169 N
50 lb
2 ft
5 ft
2 ft
6 ft
3 ft 2 ft
300 lb
200 lb
F
3
F
2
F
1
R

R
Axis
30
0

4 m
2 m
400 N
W
30
0

100 N Axis
30
0

4 m
2 m
T
W
30
0


46
*5-46. For the conditions set in Problem 5-5, what are the horizontal and vertical components
of the force exerted by the floor hinge on the base of the boom?
EF
x
= H 1169 N = 0; or H = 1169 N
EF
y
= V 100 N 400 N = 0; or V = 500 N
H = 1169 N and V = 500 N

**5-47. What is the tension in the cable for Fig. 5-25. The weight of the boom is 300 N but its
length is unknown. (Select axis at wall, L cancels.)
Et = = TL N
L
L sin ( ) sin sin 75 300
2
30 546 30 0
0 0 0

T sin 75
0
= 75.0 N + 273 N; T = 360 N

**5-48. What are the magnitude and direction of the force exerted by
the wall on the boom in Fig. 5-25? Again assume that the weight of the board is 300 N.
Refer to the figure and data given in Problem 5-7 and recall that T = 360 N.
EF
x
= H - (360 N) cos 45
0
= 0; H = 255 N
EF
y
= V + (360 N) sin 45
0
300 N 546 N = 0; V = 591 N
H = 255 N and V = 591 N

*5-49. An car has a distance of 3.4 m between front and rear axles. If 60 percent of the weight
rests on the front wheels, how far is the center of gravity located from the front axle?
Et = 0.6W(0) + 0.4W(3.4 m) F x = 0
But F = W: 1.36 W W x = 0
x = 1.36 m from front axle
V
H
100 N
Axis
30
0

4 m
2 m
1169 N
400 N
30
0

60
0

30
0

45
0

T = 360 N
T
H
546 N
L
r
75
0

300 N
45
0

30
0

V
0.4W
x
F
0.6W
3.4 m
Axis